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Pickup from Dehradun Railway station (7:00 am)/ ISBT (6:30 am). The drive to Sankri from Dehradun takes you through towns and villages like Mussoorie, Nowgaon, Purola and Mori. After gaining height at Mussoorie, we continue our drive inwards and, soon, are joined by the river Yamuna a few kilometers ahead of Kempty Falls. The drive goes through a dense pine forest engulfing you into sweet but strong scent of pines. After you drive through the length of pine forests, you enter Mori. The Tons River starts accompanying you from here, which happens to be the biggest tributary of Yamuna and is well known for rafting activities. The picturesque drive starts early in order to reach Sankri by evening. The 190 km long drive takes around 8 hours to complete. For the night, we stay at a guesthouse before starting our hike the next day.
Meals: D
Accommodation: Guesthouse
We leave early from Sankri post breakfast and start trekking towards Juda Ka Talab. The path from Sankri to the base camp is a happening one. With kids on their way to the school and local village women starting their daily errands and chores, the trek starts from the village crossing another village, Saud, before you reach the trail that leads to Kedarkantha. The trail takes you into the pine forest and starts to climb sharply until you reach a ridge after a while. On the ridge, the trail evens out and widens. The density of the forest makes the walk very cool for the sun is not able to penetrate through the thickness of the pine and maple trees. You will finally reach Juda Ka Talab, which is a small lake famous for three landmasses floating on it. For the night, we come by the lake and enjoy the dinner under the gleaming presence of billions of stars!
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Camp
Moving past Juda Ka Talab, a trail takes you deeper into the dense pine forests. Continue walking and you will finally hit a meadow dotted with shepherd’s huts. After climbing another thousand feet, you will reach the destination of the day – Kedarkantha base camp. It takes about 4 hours to complete this part of the trek. The trail from Juda Ka Talab till the base camp is indescribably beautiful and mesmerizing. It is the perfect location for photographers and nature lovers! The base camp is colder than the summit because of lack of insulation. Even from the base camp, the famous peaks of Uttarakhand are visible at a stretch, making it the perfect spot to camp at.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Camp
This is the day you’ve been working hard for! The trek from the base camp to the summit is not a long one. On reaching the summit, your jaw is going to drop and your eyes will not blink. The Kedarkantha summit is marked by an arrangement of stones with a Trishul that points to the sky. The summit offers an astonishing 360-degree view of the peaks of Uttarakhand and the Chaainsheel Pass and Kailash ranges of Himachal.From the top, you can also see the Har Ki Dun valley below. The story behind Kedarkantha is an interesting one. The name literally means the throat of Lord Shiva (Kedar refers to Lord Shiva and Kantha means Throat). The legend has it that this peak was supposed to be the original Kedarnath temple but Lord Shiva, who disguised himself as a cow hiding from the Pandavas was disturbed during meditation by the villagers. The interruption made him change his location from this peak to the present Kedarnath temple. We hike back to the base camp after spending good time on the summit. Post lunch we head towards Hargaon (2 km trail). Hargaon is a large camping area en route to Sankri. An overnight stay is required before saying goodbye to the beautiful place.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Camp
Today we head down to Sankri. It takes about 2-3 hours to finish this 4 km trek route of the day. For the rest of the day, you can explore the village of Sankri, which is known to be the heart of the Har Ki Dun valley, along with other villages like Gangad and Osla. Sankri is a typical “Pahari” village, with an unbeatable hospitality offered by the locals. It is also the last road head to the Govind Balabh Pant Wildlife Sanctuary.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Going back home always feels great. But the drive will not make it easy for we take the same alluring road back to Dehradun. The landscape slowly changes from pine forests to wider roads as we head back towards Dehradun, finally opening up into the bustling city life. We will reach Dehradun by 7 pm.
Meals: B
When humans set their feet and eyes on the Himalaya, it is a romantic meeting between the Earth´s youngest species and the earth´s youngest mountain. As the Himalayan mountains have developed on Earth, the evolution of humans has also been accompanied by the making of an inner Himalaya. Every human has a Himalaya within himself or herself. It is the peak of human potential and challenge as well as a place of silence and peace. Our Journey started in the humble roots & persistent efforts of an authentic mountain trek leader, Bachan Rana, who founded Himalaya Shelter, after he had to forego his long journey as a Trek Leader at one of the finest Outdoor Activities organizer in India, in 2013, following Kedarnath Disaster which led to dwindling tourist influx, crippling the tourism sector in Uttarakhand.
A. Booking Terms
1. If booked more than 30 days before the trip start date, advance of 10% of the total booking value is payable at the time of booking. Balance amount shall be paid no later than 30 days before the trip start date.
2. If booked less than 30 days prior to the trip start date, the full booking value is due at the time of booking.
3. If the due amounts are not paid as per the payment schedule, bookings shall stand cancelled.
B. Cancellation Policy
1. If cancelled more than 30 days before the trip start date, the advance shall be refunded net of a 5% transaction fee.
2. If cancelled after full payment between 30 to 15 days before the trip start date, 25% cancellation fee of the total booking value.
3. If cancelled less than 15 days prior to the trip start date, the booking amount shall not be refundable.
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C. Changes to and / or cancellation of trips
Itineraries shown are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. The operators reserve the right to change expedition / trek / package dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which the operator or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. The operator reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
*for 15 pax
If you are an amateur trekker and still your instincts and adrenaline rush compels you to summit a mountain, climbing the Kedar Kantha Peak will be your best bet! This popular winter trek in the Garhwal Himalayas is often aptly titled ‘The Queen of the Winter Treks.’ The entire trail blushes with beauty during winters, with snow falling from the pine trees like fairy dust and ensuring maximum activity from shutterbugs. Your acclimatization is also easy as you pass through the thick pine forests of the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. The woods are immensely dense and immersive, and you will see the sun playing hide-and-seek while you make your way towards the peak. Winters make the Kedar Kantha climb an ethereal experience. Knee-deep in snow, you climb to the top of the 3810-meter peak and embrace a range of stunning views. From the quaint hamlet of Snakri to the mythological whispers surrounding Juda ka Talab, the trek packs a series of fascinating adventures for you to remember. The cosmic sky above, the lush meadows and scented pine forests before you give out a call that is highly irresistible to deny!
The Kedar Kantha Trek is one of the most popular winter treks for adventure enthusiasts across the world. The trek is one of the very few Himalayan adventures accessible in winter and presents itself as an out-and-out winter trek. The snow trek is best done between November to April. You will witness the first snowfall of the season as you navigate your way from the charming Sankri village to the frozen Juda ka Talab and onwards. The entire Govind Wildlife Sanctuary basks in the winter whites and creates a magnificent aura. You will experience an adventurous climb to the summit and extremely cold dusks and dawn.
However, the popularity of this trek and the countless routes that have emerged for the Kedar Kantha top have made this an all-season adventure. You can also embark on this adventure in spring from March to May, where you will be greeted by residual snow, colorful forest, and lush green meadows. The summit climb is also beautiful beyond imagination. Some trekkers attempt the Kedar Kantha trek in autumn, between September to November, where you will enjoy crisp views from the summit along with colorful forests and sprawling meadows. During the trek, it is customary to camp at scenic campsites. Alternatively, there are several tour operators and trekking companies that offer accommodation in homestays in the villages. You need to follow the instructions of your trek leader, guide and support staff, and be respectful towards the community. Since you will pass through a myriad of villages in Uttarakhand, you should be open to varied cultures and interact with them in their own ways. This trail is relatively easy and suited for amateur trekkers. You should carry all relevant documents, permits, and other trekking essentials including, backpacks, daypacks, suitable apparel including thermal inners, t-shirts, polyester pants, fleece jackets, woolen sweaters, heavy down jackets, woolen caps, balaclavas, wool and fleece gloves, sunglasses, trekking poles, several pairs of socks, rugged and heavy-duty waterproof hiking shoes, etc. Be generous with your first-aid kit, personal medications, and toiletries and hygiene products. Also, ensure that comfortable sleeping bags, thick mattresses, separate kitchen and dining tents, crampons, utensils, etc., are carried.
Physical fitness and mental fortitude are the basic necessities for any Himalayan adventure. You should be in good health and maintain a rigorous physical routine for a couple of months that combines cardiovascular exercises like skipping, running, swimming, cycling, and strength and conditioning training. You can hone your mental resilience with yoga and meditation.
Kedar Kantha is a highly secluded place, so the cell phone connection is not very good. However, you can carry a BSNL/Jio sim card because it might work near the base camp in Sankri.
The Kedar Kantha Trek is rated easy to moderate on the difficulty scale. The terrain is relatively uncomplicated. The trail ensures a moderate altitude gain of nearly 450-500 meters each day, which is easily achievable with a steady pace. Acclimatization is also easy. However, the winter temperatures and the snow might create some challenges while the summit climb is done. At certain places, the Kedar Kantha peak is inclined at 45-60 degrees, and it is possible to create certain difficulties for both amateurs and seasoned trekkers.
The Kedar Kantha Trek is just a 20 km long trek, from start to finish. The trek duration is ideally six days. The start and endpoint of the trek is the Sankri village.
Yes, Kedar Kantha Trek can be finished within a day or two. The trek distance is only 20 km from start to finish.
The Kedar Kantha Trek basecamp is Sankri village- a quaint settlement located in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Uttarkashi district. To reach Sankri, you can book buses from the Dehradun railway station. You can also get down at the Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun, reach the Dehradun railway station, and book buses or cabs to Sankri village.
If you are flying from abroad or any other Indian city, you can also get down at New Delhi. The NCR is well-connected to Dehradun via railways. Take a train to Dehradun and embark on the route mentioned above.
The Kedar Kantha Trek does not involve too many risks and is considered a safe adventure option for beginners and rookie trekkers.
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